Chapter Eight
Taking the Defense
Part One
Roxton seethed, his anger bringing an intense headache that only infuriated him more. Like hell that sorcerer Klor was going to get anywhere near his Marguerite or baby. Klorichieneremic the Mystical Sorcerer of Malia had entered their lives destroying Marguerite's mind. He had secretly approached her and had offered her a way home, but had tricked her and haunted her for weeks before vanishing into thin air. Before disappearing, he had implied that either Marguerite or Veronica was a sorceress or powerful witch, but both women had scoffed at the very idea. Now he was back, months later, to once again use his devious manipulative ways into frightening Marguerite with the oath of taking her baby…their baby.
Roxton slammed his fist against the wall and choked back a scream. Malone hesitantly approached and licked his lips, glancing down at the floor. "Roxton, Klor won't harm her. We've all decided to make sure two people are always with her. Veronica will even sleep in her room."
"That won't be enough," Roxton barked, fury throwing daggers at everything he looked at. "Klor's power touches the mind. Remember last time? He was in her sleep, in her head; he got inside her soul and made her jump off a bloody cliff! He doesn't even have to touch her to harm her. He makes her go crazy!"
Challenger worriedly left Marguerite's room, his expression somber. "You're upsetting her, old man. She doesn't need to be anymore agitated than she already is. Stress isn't healthy for either the mother or child. I'm concerned about her condition and this turn of events as it is. Let's not add fuel to the fire."
"What can be done?" Malone questioned. "Do you think the Zanga will allow us to temporarily move in until after the baby's born and the threat as been defeated?"
"No," Veronica whispered from the doorway. "We can't bring this evil upon them." She thought a moment, her face solemn. "I could ask for them to send a couple warriors, but I don't know what good they will do. Klor is a mind tormenter. There isn't a way to protect someone from that."
"I'm going to guard her," Roxton firmly stated, pointing at his chest. "The devil himself won't be able to stop me from protecting them. That child she's caring is a part of me, too, and I'll be damned if some psycho sorcerer will take our child away from us!" Furious and full of enraged adrenaline, he smashed his fist into the wall. "Damn him! Damn him for torturing us! He can't have our baby!"
"He won't," murmured a strong voice. Marguerite was standing in the doorway of her room, Roxton's yelling dragging her out of bed. "I won't let him." She placed her hands on the swell of her belly. "I'll admit that I wasn't thrilled about this baby. In all honesty, I wish I weren't having it. But since I can't change the circumstances, I've come to accept it. And this is my baby and no one – no one – is taking him away from me."
Roxton was at her side in an instant, taking her hands in his and kissing her knuckles. "And no one ever will, Marguerite."
Part Two
In the murky shadows a dark silhouette watched the exchange with a cold smile. Marguerite had escaped him the first time; and he feared he would be unable to recapture her. Yet, the baby was vulnerable and it taking the precious child would bring Marguerite to her knees.
The baby would be his.
End Chapter Eight
Is this getting corny? I don't know about this turn of events. All feedback is welcome as long as it isn't unnecessarily cruel.